Dalits call for nationwide shutdown today

Groups seek restoration of SC/ST Act provisions, which they allege were diluted by court ruling

Various Dalit organisations, with members belonging to lower castes and protesting against changes made by the Supreme Court in the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, have called for a countrywide ‘Bharat Bandh’ or shutdown today. Under the banner of All India Ambedkar Mahasabha (AIAM), the Dalit groups are demanding restoration of the provisions of the SC/ ST Act which, they allege, were diluted by the apex court ruling of March 20.

They are also seeking the release of Dalit activists jailed during the April 2 agitation in various states.

Ahead of the bandh, prohibitive orders under section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) have been imposed in Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh (MP) state. In MP’s Bhind district, internet services were completed suspended yesterday.

Section 144 seeks to prevent collective protests at public places. The authorities in several sensitive states are also monitoring social media to curb the spread of malicious rumours ahead of the Dalit protest.

9 dead in violence

During the April 2 agitation, nine persons were killed in violent clashes in Bhind and Gwalior.

The government asserted that it was protecting the rights of the Dalit community. Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, appealed to the public not to participate in the bandh. “I appeal to all to maintain peace, harmony and brotherhood in the country,” Athawale said.

On Tuesday, the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) passed the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill 2018, to overturn the SC order of March 20. The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017, which grants constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), was also passed by Parliament on Monday.